12 Famous Actors Who Almost Got the Part

Somewhere in an alternate universe, we watch very different movies. Russell Crowe slices and dices as Wolverine, Hailee Steinfeld kicks it as Katniss Everdeen and Bill Murray plays just about anyone he wants to.

It's kind of weird, thinking about iconic roles that could have been so different. In some ways, we're way better off, but in others, my heart breaks a little that David Bowie isn't our Elrond. A lot of these are rumors, but even the hearsay is pretty juicy.

Take a look at these surprising near-casting misses and contemplate the timeline where Will Smith whoa'd as Neo.

1. Jodie Foster as Catwoman

We know she can do smart, intense and feminist, but somehow the mind boggles at Clarice Starling wearing Michelle Pfeiffer's hardcore catsuit. Foster was reportedly a contender for the role.

2. Adrien Brody as the Joker

Sure, he's a Wes Anderson favorite now, but what if he'd joined Christopher Nolan's stable of actors instead? Brody might have earned an Oscar turn for the Joker too, but wow, that part would not be the same. Brody has confirmed that his near-Joker status is all true.

3. Bette Midler as Sister Mary Clarence

The lead in Sister Act was written for the Divine Miss Midler, but perhaps it was divine intervention that made her decide her fans wouldn't like seeing her in a nun's habit. Thank the Lord Whoopi Goldberg swooped in.

9. Jennifer Hudson as Precious

Fresh off her Oscar win for Dream Girls, Hudson considered the lead role but decided it was too intense for her. Lucky for us, this meant a career-defining break and an Oscar nomination for the fabulous Gabourey Sidibe.